Prevalence of speech and language delay in children (0-3 years) and its associated risk factors in a tertiary care teaching hospital of Eastern India

Abstract

Introduction: Speech and language development is an important indicator of a child's overall development and intellectual functioning. There is a large amount of data on the prevalence and risk factors of speech and language delay from the West, but relatively scanty data from India. Language Evaluation Scale Trivandrum (LEST) is a screening tool for use in outpatient clinics and communities for identifying language delay in toddlers. Materials and Methods: A descriptive study of the cross-sectional design was done on 350 children between 0 and 36 months attending outpatient and immunization clinics. A proforma with demographic details of parents, antenatal, and perinatal risk factors were completed. All caregivers were asked for a home screening questionnaire to assess the home environment. Language delay was identified using the LEST scale. The association of language delay with antenatal, perinatal risk factors, socioeconomic status, and home environment were analyzed. Results: The prevalence of language delay was 7%. No association was found between language delay and type of family, place of residence, antenatal complications, perinatal complications, gestational age, birth weight, and socioeconomic status. A negative home environment and second birth order were significantly associated with language delay.